Puna fatality victim identified 08-06-03

A 51-year-old Puna man died Saturday (August 2, 2003) of injuries he received in a traffic crash on July 27, 2003.

The victim was identified as Kelly McKee, of a Mountain View address.

The accident occurred at the intersection of the Volcano Highway (Route 11) and Pa’ahana Street, near the entrance to Kamehameha Schools.

Responding to an 8:45 p.m., Puna patrol officers determined the victim had been traveling toward Volcano on the Volcano Highway when his vehicle veered to the right and struck a traffic signal pole. The victim was then taken to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment.

On Saturday, a friend found the victim at his home. The victim, who had died some time earlier, was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:18 p.m.

Alcohol is believed to be a significant factor in this case. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call Officer Reed Mahuna of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 961-2332 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

McKee’s death was the 17th traffic fatality so far this year on the Big Island.